Punter Martin surprised at special teams honor

ALLEN PARK — Rookie punter Sam Martin was surprised when he went out for Wednesday’s practice and was told he had been named the NFC special teams player of the week.

In the Lions’ 27-20 win at Washington, Martin averaged 52 yards per punt that included a 72-yard effort.

“I was kind of surprised because I thought last week against Arizona I had a way better game — I had all touchbacks on kickoffs, my net was 10 yards higher, my average was a little higher this week,’’ Martin said. “I think the reason I got it this week was five of my six punts were over 50 yards and I guess that doesn’t happen that often.’’

Martin pulled kickoff to start the second half but he said it had to do with the wind. He kicked it 50 yards, it went out of bounds at the 15-yard line which gave the Redskins possession at their own 40.

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“What the outsiders don’t understand is when you have 20 mph in your face you try to drive it and the margin for error is so minuscule it just happens,’’ Martin said. “I felt the wind constantly was changing and I felt like every time I got out there to kick off it was in my face no matter what direction I was going.’’

After three games, Martin ranks sixth among NFL punters with a 48.5-yard per punt average.

A fifth-round pick out of Appalachian State, he won the job over Blake Clingan in training camp.

The last Lions’ punter to win player of the week honors was Jim Arnold in 1993.

Cowboys sign Greenwood

Chris Greenwood is gone before Lions fans ever got a chance to see what the cornerback could do.

The second-year cornerback was signed off the Lions practice squad by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday night.

Practice squad players first pass waivers, then are available to any other team. This is how the Lions got running back Joique Bell — they signed him off the Saints’ practice squad. Same with Corey HIlliard who was signed off the Browns’ practice squad.

Greenwood, who attended Detroit’s Martin Luther King High School, was a fifth-round draft pick in 2012 out of Albion.

Greenwood, a 6-foot-2 corner, participated in training camp this summer but couldn’t crack the 53-man roster. He was injured his entire rookie season.

He made his Lions’ debut in the preseason game on Aug. 22.

Greenwood is the second pick from the Lions’ 2012 draft who is no longer with the team. The Lions cut Ronnell Lewis (fourth round) at the end of training camp.

Ins and outs

It wasn’t so much who was out at Wednesday’s practice as it was who was on the filed.

Running back Reggie Bush (knee) had a full practice after sitting out Sunday’s game.

Wide receiver Pat Edwards (ankle), who also missed Sunday’s game, was participating on a limited basis.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles, who played his first game Sunday coming off ACL surgery, also was limited.

Broyles and Edwards are key with Nate Burleson out at least indefinitely with a broken arm.

Calvin Johnson was on the field, but not participating due to a knee injury. Jim Schwartz said on Monday there were no long-term injuries as a result of Sunday’s game so Johnson’s knee should be OK.

Jason Fox (groin) returned to practice for the first time in two weeks after he was injured in the opening game. He was also limited.

Ziggy Ansah who had to leave Sunday’s game briefly with an abdominal injury was also practicing on a limited basis.

Louis Delmas (knee) was not on the field. He also missed practice last Wednesday and Friday, then played in 100 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday.

Rob Sims (shoulder) was on the field, but not participating.

Of course, Burleson was absent. He underwent surgery Wednesday on his broken arm.

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